Anti-freezing closet



Patented May 24,1881.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. GORDON, OF CUTLER, ILLINOIS.

ANTI-FREEZING CLOSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,969, dated May 24;, 1881.

Application filed October 2, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BRECKENRIDGE GORDON, of Cutler, in the county of Perry and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Anti-Freezing Closets, of which the following is a specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement, parts being broken away. Fig. 2 is a sectional front elevation. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation, showing a modification. Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the shelf-stiffeners.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The objectof this invention is to furnish antifreezing closets so constructed as to prevent the freezing in the coldest weather of canned fruits, meats, and other articles, and thus preserve them in good condition.

A represents acloset,made of wood or other suitable material, and of any desired size. The closet A is made with close bottom, top, sides, and back, and is provided with a door, B, hinged atone edge and secured at the other edge, when closed, by hooks or other suitable fastenings.

O are shelves, of sheet-iron, zinc, or other suitable material, secured at their rear and side edges by sliding or fitting them into slots or grooves in the back and sides of the closet A.

To the inner side of the door B are attached grooved cleats D, provided with rubber or other suitable packing to fit upon the forward edges of the shelves (3 to prevent thepassage of air between the said door and the edges of the shelves 0. The packing-strips can be used with the cleats, if desired. I11 the opposite ends of the adjacent shelves 0, and in the top of the closet, are formed small apertures E, for the passage of warm air, which thus passes through the spaces between the shelves Gin a zigzag direction, as shown by the arrows in Figs. 2 and 3. The air is heated by a lamp or lantern, F, placed upon the bottom of thecloset. Air to support combustion and to be heated and made ,to circulate through the closet enters througli'holes G in the lower part of the door B, or or one sideof the closet A, according as the apertures E are arranged. The apertures E may be holes through the shelves G near their ends, or may be slits or narrow spaces between the shelves and the walls of the closet. In case the slits are used, and are formed at the front and rear edges of the shelves, only half as many cleats D need be attached to the door B as when holes are formed through the said shelves. The lower compartment, in which the lamp or lantern F is placed, should be lined with metal or other suitable material, to guard against any possible danger of fire from the lamp or lantern F. The shelves 0 are stiffened by braces H of sheet-iron placed beneath the saidsh elves, and attached at their ends to the back and sides of the closet A. The middle parts of the shelves 0 are strengthened by a rod, I, of iron or other suitable material, passing down through holes in the centers of the said shelves 0, and through holes in the braces H. The lower end of the rod I rests upon the bottom of the closet, or in a recess in the said bottom. In the rod I, below each shelf 0, is formed a hole to receive a pin, J, upon which the said shelf rests.

If desired, the rod I and pins J may be replaced by some other strengthening device that will not be in the way between the shelves.

To the top of the closet A, along one edge, is attached an upwardly-projecting flange, K, to serve as a guard to prevent articles placed upon the said top from being pushed off. The flange K also serves as a support and guard to a thermometer, L, the bulb of which is placed within the closet A, and its stem projects above the said closet.

If desired, leaves M may be hinged to the side edges of the top of the closet, which leaves can be turned up into a horizontal position for convenience to set cans or other articles upon when putting them into and removing them from the closet, and which, when not in use, can be turned down along the sides of the closet. The leaves M when turned up can be supported by braces, brackets, or other suitable means. In the door B, opposite the space between the bottom of the closet A and the lowest shelf 0, is formed an aperture closed with a glass plate, N, to allow the condition of the lamp to be inspected without opening the said door B. The closet A can also be provided with devices for automatically regulat ing the admission of air, and for guarding against any possible danger of fire from the lamp or lantern F.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An anti-freezing closet constructed substantially as herein shown and described, with close bottom, top, back, and sides, a tightlyolosing door, B, having packing-strips I), and glassplate N, shelves 0, having apertures E, stiifening-braces H, and rod I, having pins J,

and provided with apertures E in the top and apertures G in the lower part, as set forth.

2. In an anti-freezing closet, the combination, with the door 13, of the packing-strips D to close against the shelves 0, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the passage of air between the door B and the shelves 0 will be prevented, as set forth.

JOllN BRECKENRIDGE GORDON. Witnesses:

JAMES DEVENNY, JOSEPH ARTELT. 

